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Tag: Rivers State Governor

  • Putting UN Award for Wike in proper context

    In the midst of national retrogression and unparalleled economic stagnation, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has emerged as Nigeria’s leading light . An icon of development and good governance.

    Governor Wike has proved that in the midst of national failure, a leader can re-define the developmental reality for his people and set them aside for greater things.  He has proved that Nigeria cannot be all bad news. He has shown to the world that there are great performers in Nigeria. Men committed to development and uninterested in propaganda and distractions.

    Under the leadership of Governor Wike, Rivers State  has transformed into Nigeria’s Oasis of Development. A huge construction site, with a growing economy  that works for the people.

    In the recent past, Governor Wike has been a recipient of several awards on the account of his performance.  He won the Independent Newspapers  Man of the Year 2016, the Authority Newspaper Man of the Year, 2016 and Sun Newspaper Governor of the Year, 2016. He was also enthroned  as Rivers State  Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Apostle of Peace.

    After over two years of total and rapid development  of a New Rivers State , Governor Wike has been recognised  for his outstanding contribution to sustainable cities. Rivers State Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has been nominated for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) “Global Human Settlements  Outstanding Contribution Award “.

    The “Global Human Settlements  Outstanding Contribution Award ” is organised by Sustainable Cities and Human Settlements Awards (SCAHSA). The group is supported by the United Nations Environment.

    In a letter of notification  of  the award to Governor Wike , Secretary of Global Forum on Human Settlements and Main Representative to the United Nations, Mr Lu Haifeng,  said the award would be conferred on the governor  at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on October 31.

    The ceremony  will be held as part of the 12th Global Forum of Human Settlements at the United Nations Headquarters in New York between October 30 and 31. According to the Main Representative to the United Nations, Governor Wike  is being recognised  for his great commitment and contribution to sustainable  cities in Rivers State.

    The group further lauded Governor Wike for developing infrastructure in settlements in different parts of the state and ensuring that people have access to basic amenities.

    Governor Wike was also applauded  for constructing the Iriebe Medium Housing Estate, Rivers Quarters at the NNS Pathfinder, Quarters for Junior Staff of the DSS and facilitating  the improved  investment in housing by private investors.

    The Rivers State Governor also received  commendations for investing in land reclamation/sand filling in Asari-Toru, Degema, Akuku-Toru and Port Harcourt Local Government Areas.

    The centre-piece of Governor Wike’s development programmes have been to improve  the living conditions of Rivers people, by developing  infrastructure  that will enhance their living standards in communities  where everyone will be proud to live in.

    The actualisation  of the goals of the administration is a work in progress. However, it is safe to declare that so much has been achieved within the period under review.

    Wike started his exemplary leadership with the development of critical infrastructure  that improved the living conditions in Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas.

    On his very first day in office on May 29, 2015, the governor launched the “Operation Zero Potholes”. This project created access to densely  populated suburbs  in Diobu and Borokiri/Port Harcourt Township.

    The road and drainage  infrastructure  across Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor have led to better housing facilities in different suburbs, improved security  and other basic amenities.

    Aside, the massive development of road infrastructure in Port Harcourt, Governor Wike has constructed inter and inter community roads in 13 out of the 23 Local Government Areas to create the required access to these areas . The creation  of access to communities  have created additional settlements and improved housing.

    Land Reclamation and Sand-Filling of areas to create additional lands for housing and settlements have received the deserved attention  of the Wike administration.

    The land reclamation projects in Asalama (Asari-Toru) , Bakana(Degema) and Nkpogu/Ogbunabali (Port Harcourt City) are projects that will develop new settlements in the state. In the case of Asari-Toru and Degema Local Government Areas, the beneficiaries of the reclaimed lands would be less privileged persons.

    Since May 29, 2015, Governor Wike has created the right environment for  the development of affordable housing.  The Iriebe Low Housing Estate completed and commissioned by the administration, accommodates 50 low income families , especially civil servants.

    The administration constructed 50 one bedroom (self contained) houses for operatives of the Department of State Services working in the state.

    There is the ongoing construction  of the Nigerian Air Force Quarters, while the Rivers Quarters at the NNS Pathfinder has been completed and commissioned.

    Private Housing Developers have been attracted to the state as a result of the programmes of the Wike administration.  The Lekki Gardens Estate  has been commissioned at the GRA in Port Harcourt.

    Port Harcourt has been made more habitable with the installation and  revival of street and traffic lights, the construction of Port Harcourt Pleasure Park and the improvement of security across the state.

    Governor Wike’s improvement of educational and health facilities  across the state have re-established the framework for a rewarding growth of Port Harcourt and other towns in Rivers State.

    • Nwakaudu is Governor Wike’s aide on electronic media

     

     

  • Wike’s development-centered politics

    In today’s Nigeria, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike is known to be the pillar of the opposition.  The platform on which the revival of Nigeria rests.

    Therefore, all his actions  are monitored  closely  by the opposition and key figures in the ruling party. His steps are significant as they determine the direction of the opposition.

    When live pictures began to emerge from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Saturday, 19th August, 2017, millions of Nigerians  were pleasantly  surprised to see that Governor Wike was amongst  the dignitaries  on hand  to welcome President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Governor Wike’s  presence at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport and later at the Presidential Villa sent a clear message to the political  class.

    Though we may belong to different political parties and persuasions, we share  a common nationality, we share a common  humanity. What affects one person, affects the other.

    Our differences, the governor’s presence dictated, should not stop us from seeking national development, strengthening   inter-governmental ties and making government relevant to the governed.

    Wike’s politics is totally focused on development  and the welfare of the  people. This  political  principle  has guided his  political  actions over the years.

    As a master strategist, he takes deliberate  steps that  strengthen  the ties of friendship and unity to the benefit of the good people of Rivers State.

    On his  presence to receive President Buhari, Governor Wike  said, “We are happy, that he is alive and that is why l am here today to rejoice with the family. We should not play politics with everything. We are here talking about health and irrespective of the party l belong to, you can see that l am here today to rejoice with the family. That is what it is supposed to be. Don’t play politics with health issues, don’t do that. So, irrespective of what is going on out there, one is happy to be here.”

    Secretary to the  Rivers State Government Kenneth Kobani explained it thus: ”

    I am a very happy Nigerian  today. The return of Mr President is indeed a thing of joy.Nigerians, irrespective of political affiliations have every right to rejoice that he is back and looks hale and hearty. Our celebrations must also reflect our unity and diversity as a nation. He is our President.  Thank you Governor Wike  for being present at the airport to receive our President and father of the nation, alongside the Acting President  and some of your brother Governors.  This is how it should be.”

    By his presence at the airport ceremony marking the return of President Muhammadu Buhari, Governor Wike advised the leadership of the APC that beyond politics is the need to preserve Nigeria and always show respect  for constituted authority.

    The governor by his presence at the airport ceremony indicated  that the bonds of friendship , love and the pan-Nigerian spirit   must be consolidated  for the good of the country.

    As a leading opposition governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike  has always shown  maximum respect  for the Presidency.  He has friends  in the APC, working for the overall development of Nigeria. This has not  stopped  him from holding his political views in defence of Rivers State.

    Even when he disagrees with the Federal establishment of the country, it is usually on the basis of principles. The governor has never taken  the Presidency  to the  cleaners  as was the practice  by key APC chieftains during the previous era.

    Rivers State has suffered the most in the hands of the APC and their destructive propaganda machine. Officials of the  APC Federal Government sponsor negative media campaign against the state with the aim of de-marketing it. They incite violence and propaganda to undermine Rivers State and her people.

    Only recently, the Rivers APC worked negatively  to truncate the commissioning of projects by the Vice President.

    The APC  should learn   to de-emphasise selfish  politics, which relegates development  and  enthrones political advantage. It is true  that they gained political  victory  in 2015  through mischievous  and venomous propaganda, but the reality  today is different. They should face  governance  and start developing a Pan-Nigerian platform.

    This  is the time to heal a divided nation. This is a time to stop the lies and propaganda.  This is a time to cultivate  friendship  across party lines, while still maintaining  the distinct  features of individual  political families.  This is the time to  put Nigeria first and work for the people.

    APC is on its back foot today because  it thinks that governance is simply  acquisition of media mileage.  It has learnt  through  the hard  way that  performance remains the key factor to the growth of any nation.

    In summary, APC should learn from Governor Wike.  Governor Wike elevates the people more than  any other consideration. He respects our shared  humanity , more than  media mileage.  Now is the  time for APC  to face reality  and start working. Enough of lies and negative propaganda.

  • Wike: Rivers people want True Federalism  

    Wike: Rivers people want True Federalism  

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has declared that Rivers people are insisting on true federalism because they crave a country where all federating units are allowed to develop in line with their respective potentials and resources.

    The governor emphasised that the demand for true federalism simply means that Rivers people believe in a united Nigeria, where  no section  is denied the control of her resources.

    The governor who spoke at the Government House Port Harcourt on Tuesday night when the Rivers State Government hosted the Ambassador of the United States of America to Nigeria, Mr William Symington to a State Banquet, also called on the Government of the United States of America to set up a Visa Office in Port Harcourt to  cater for  the South-South and South-East.

    He said: “We are clamouring for true federalism.  When you talk true federalism, they think  you don’t want to  be part of the  country. We talk about true federalism as practiced in America.  A true presidential system where all the Federating units will be allowed to enjoy their resources and contribute to the centre.

    “That means we believe that there must be a country called Nigeria.  All of us will work together for the unity of the country”.

    He explained that Rivers people  seek equity, fairness and justice in the country, stating that the right framework  must be established  to ensure that all states excel at their pace.

    On the request for the United States Government to set up a Visa Office in Port Harcourt, Governor Wike said the visa will resolve  the issue of equity  and justice as the Abuja office serves the north and Lagos office serves the South West.

    He assured that the American Ambassador that the state is safe for business, pledging that his administration will partner with investors, as the right environment has already been created.

    “Forget about the media propaganda.  This state is an opposition state. Therefore, don’t expect them to say it is the best.  But, we are the best state. We are doing everything to ensure that investors do profitable business under the ambit of the law”, Governor Wike said.

    In his remarks, the Ambassador of the United States of America to Nigeria, Mr William Symington commended Nigerians for the unity of the country.

    He said that Nigeria is a great country because of the contributions of Nigerians.

    “Nigeria will be great and I expect a super power and a super partner “, he said.

    The Ambassador of the United States of America to Nigeria was accompanied by the Consul General , John Bray.

    Head of Service of Rivers State, Mr Rufus Godwins, in a welcome remark on behalf of the Rivers State Government, pointed out that Rivers State shares a lot of similarities with the  United States of America, especially in the area of the presence of oil resources, love of human rights, justice and fair play.

    He, however, pointed out that while United States practices fiscal federalism where federating states own their resources, Rivers State suffers untold hardship as her resources are exploited to the benefit  of others.

     

  • My administration will recover Ikoyi fund, Says Governor Wike

    My administration will recover Ikoyi fund, Says Governor Wike

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has declared that his administration will recover the state funds found at an Ikoyi residence despite the antics of the Federal Government. 
     
    Speaking during a special appearance on Channels Television Sunrise Programme, Governor Wike reiterated that the money stashed at the Ikoyi residence belongs to the people of Rivers State. 
     
     He said the state team of lawyers are already working to ensure that Rivers State gets back her funds which are proceeds from the sale of the assets of the state. 
     
    Recall that Governor Wike had a press conference explained that the Ikoyi funds  were proceeds from the sale of the assets of the state government, by the immediate past Amaechi administration. 
     
    “We will follow due process of the law to get back Rivers State money found at the Ikoyi residence. This money belongs to the Rivers State people. We have conducted out checks.
     
    “We will stun Nigeria with this matter. We will come out with our evidence at the appropriate time”.
     
    The governor said that the state government will not reveal its strategy to recover the state because of the games being played by the APC Federal Government. 
     
    He said that the politicization of the entire issue of the Rivers State fund discovered at the Ikoyi residence, indicate that the Federal Government has a something to hide.
     
    On developments in the Niger Delta, Governor Wike stated that the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is working at cross purposes with the region.
     
    He said that the NDDC politicises the process of its execution of projects which are usually abandoned. He added that the agency deliberately refuses to liaise with the states before projects  are initiated.
     
    On the PDP crisis, Governor Wike stated that he is supporting Makarfi and that he will wait for the Supreme Court to state its position. The governor declared that it is very much unlikely that he will work with Ali Modu Sheriff.
     
    He said: “It is very much unlikely that I will work with Ali Modu Sheriff.  It is not possible for me to stay with Sheriff.”
     
    The governor  explained that Sheriff has no love for the PDP  as he has continued to work against the party, in liaison  with the APC. The governor alleged that in Benue and Jigawa States APC Government to frustrate the PDP  in upcoming Local Government elections. 
     
  • Rivers re-run probe: Judge declines to quash investigation report

    Rivers re-run probe: Judge declines to quash investigation report

    Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court, Abuja Tuesday declined to quash the report of investigation into violent clashes recorded during December 10, 2016 re-run legislative elections in Rivers State.

    In a judgment Tuesday, Justice Kolawole declared as illegal a Special Joint Investigative Panel set up by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, to investigate the incidents.

    The judgement was on a suit by Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike in which he challenged the legitimacy of the IGP panel, which comprised members of other independent security agencies like the Department of State Services (DSS).

    The judge faulted the validity of the report for use in any judicial proceedings; he ruled that he was unable to quash it because a copy of it was not presented before him.

    He said the report was, at best ministerial and could only be useful if it was turned to a law enforcement agency that was duly created and established by law for use as a material proper investigation.

    The judge rejected Wike’s prayer to disband the special investigative team and quash its report which he said was prepared and submitted to the IGP during the pendency of the suit.

    He (the judge) also refused Wike’s prayer that he declare that the investigative panel’s activities and report was intended to witch-hunt him.

    The judge said Wike failed to show how the decision of the defendants (IGP and others to set up the joint investigative team had violated any of their legal and constitutional rights.

    He said, as against Wike’s contention, the setting up of the police joint investigative team did not distract from the governor’s powers,  under Section 2(1) of the Judicial Commission Inquiry Commission, Laws of Rivers State 1999, to constitute his own judicial commission of inquiry to investigate the causes of violence during the election.

    Justic Kolawole granted only the first prayer relating the legality of the joint investigative team out of the 12 contained in the originating summons filed by Wike.

    On the first prayer, the judge described the joint investigative team headed by a police officer, Mr. Damian Okoro, as “a contraption unknown to any law and the Nigerian criminal justice system”.

    He said the defendants were unable to cite any law, from the Constitution, the Police Act or the National Security Agencies Act, enabling the Inspector-General of Police to set up such joint investigative panel.

    “Plaintiffs’ relief 1, having regard to the analysis that I have made on the legal status of the Special Joint Investigation Panel as an unknown body to the Nigerian criminal justice system ought to succeed and granted as prayed,” the judge ruled.

    On prayer relating to alleged witch-hunt, Justice Kolawole ruled, “Relief 4 fails because the exercise of investigative power is neither judicial nor quasi-judicial in nature but purely ministerial and does not carry with it obligation that pertains to one which is required to decide dispute because the primary obligation of an investigation from the prism of investigative and prosecutorial agencies is to establish facts that can be used to indict a suspect rather than to vindicate him except where he is to be used as prosecution witness.”

    He also said, “Relief 8 fails as the obligation of the investigative body is ministerial and not judicial or quasi-judicial.

    “Relief 9 is ungrantable as it smacks of relief seasoned with political consideration which the court lacks the power or jurisdiction to inquire into and/or to ascertain.

    “Relief 10 too is ungrantable as Exhibits AGR2 (letter by the IGP to Wike seeking the governor’s cooperation with the joint investigative team) has already executed its mandate and third defendant’s (Okoro) Special Joint Investigative Panel has, by the defendants’ deposition in their counter-affidavits, already submitted its report to the first defendant and granting relief 10 in the originating summons will be an order made in vain as the event which it seeks to quash has been accomplished.

    “Although the court can exercise its disciplinary jurisdiction pursuant to section 6(vi)(a) of the 1999 of the Constitution as amended to quash the report which was not only prepared by a body unknown to the Nigerian criminal justice system but allegedly prepared in the middle of the proceedings in which the investigative report it was going to prepare was in issue being contested by parties and can be seen as an act of defiance by the defendants.

    “It is an the elementary proposition of the law that in exercise of its powers pursuant to Order 34(2) of the Federal High Court Rules 2009, on judicial review that the court will not make such order unless the report is produced before it in whatever form the plaintiff can provide it. But no court of law will make an order to quash a report not produced before it.”

    The judge warned the Attorney-General of the Federation to be wary of the fact that the validity of the special investigative team was in doubt.

    The judge said, “As I earlier relied on the ipse dixit of the deponet to the defendants’ counter-affidavit none of whom -the deponets – was a member of the Special Joint Investigation Panel to make an order to quash a report I have not seen.

    “But far from this, I am contended, judicially speaking, (with) the decision I have reached that the said report earlier submitted to the first defendant (the IGP) was a product of a body not known to any law in Nigeria.

    “This, in my view, has put its validity for the purpose of any judicial proceedings in great doubt except a law enforcement body duly created by law uses its content as a working document to conduct a proper investigation for the use of the Attorney-General of the Federation.

    “In conclusion, plaintiffs’ suit only succeeds with respect to relief 1 which granted as prayed. Reliefs 2 to 12 fail and they are dismissed.”

    “In any event, it is left to the Attorney-General of the Federation, if he can, in exercise of his powers under section 174 (1)(a) of the Constitution use the said report against these issues which relate to its legality when presented to him initiate in filing criminal charge on the strength of section 174(1)(a) of the Constitution against such a report with its substantive validity may have been indicted.

    “Plaintiffs’ counsel has argued that the report which was prepared while the proceedings were pending be quashed.

    “I could have done so in exercise of the disciplinary jurisdiction of this court pursuant to section 6(6)(a) of the Constitution but the same report was not produced before this court so that an appropriate judicial disciplinary order could be made to vindicate the precedent authority of the Constitution which this court is bound to uphold by the exercise of its judicial powers,” the judge said.

    The Office of the Governor of Rivers State, Wike (in his personal capacity) and the Attorney-General of the state are the first to the third plaintiffs respectively in the suit filed in January this year.

    The IGP, the DSS and the head of the police investigative team, Damian Okoro are listed as defendants.

    Justice Kolawole’s judgment came about more than two months after the Office of the AGF charged 23 officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before the Federal High Court, Abuja for allegedly receiving N360m bribe from Wike in relation to the rerun elections.

     

  • Makarfi chides Sheriff over attack on Jonathan, Wike

    Makarfi chides Sheriff over attack on Jonathan, Wike

    The Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ahmed Makarfi has chided the National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Ali Modu Sheriff for attacking former President Goodluck Jonathan and the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike.

    Sheriff had, at a media briefing in Abuja on Thursday, accused Jonathan of collecting N50 million from Wike to organise last week’s stakeholders meeting to reconcile warring factions in the PDP. Sheriff’s deputy, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh addressed the media briefing.

    But at another media briefing in Abuja on Friday, Makarfi said it’s uncharitable for Sheriff and his camp to concoct deliberate falsehood aimed at impugning the character and public perception of the former president.

    In the text of the address read by the spokesman of the Caretaker Committee, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, the faction said it’s the height of lunacy for Sheriff and Ojougboh to allege that a person of Jonathan’s standing could be induced by anyone to organise a meeting.

    Makarfi said, “These people are pigs in the mud and they have no qualms in dragging decent people into the pit.

    “Our first reaction after reading the concoction put together by Cairo Ojugboh was to ignore him since he is not an officer of the PDP.

    “But ignoring him may send wrong signal to the unsuspecting members of the public and members of our party, hence the need for this clarification.

    “Mr. Ojugboh in recent times has been making series of unfounded and unsubstantiated allegations against major stakeholders of the PDP, especially those people his renegade group believes are seriously against the evil intention of Ali Modu Sheriff to destroy the only main opposition voice in the country, the PDP.

    “However, we are not surprised that Mr. Cairo would hallucinate and found pleasure in castigating Governors Nyesom Wike and Ayodele Fayose of Rivers and Ekiti states at every turn but has never been able to utter a single word of criticism against their paymaster, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) despite its gross ineptitude and maladministration.

    “For the record, the last stakeholders meeting convened and chaired by former President Jonathan, was not sponsored or organised by Governor Wike or Fayose as alleged by Mr. Cairo Ojugboh”.

    According to Makarfi, the need for the meeting was agreed upon at the residence of a former National Security Adviser (NSA), Gen. Aliyu Gusau in the presence of Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, Professor Wale Oladipo, Senator David Mark, Senator Ahmed Makarfi and Senator Ben Obi

    “Gen. Gusau and Senator Mark were mandated in that meeting to approach the former President to convene an all-inclusive meeting of stakeholders in order to chart a way forward for a lasting peace in the party”, Makarfi added.

    The Caretaker Committee expressed dismay at Sheriff’s penchant for blackmailing every available public institution in the country just to mislead the unsuspecting public.

    Makarfi continued, “Again, we wish to take serious exception to the baseless allegation made by Ojougboh that Governor Wike bribed the Judiciary to get justice in the Rivers State governorship election at the Supreme Court.

    “This is another high point of rascality by the Sheriff renegade group and we have been reliably informed that the latest accusation against the Judiciary is part of their calculated and clandestine plot to blackmail the Justices of the Supreme Court.

    “They did the same to the Justices of the Special Appeal panels during the Ondo State governorship election case when the panel, led by Justice Sankey was falsely accused of collecting over N200 million from former Gov. Olusegun Mimiko in November 2016.

    “We believe the Judiciary and indeed all Nigerians are taking note of the antecedents of Senator Ali Modu Sheriff and Co. as we urge the Judiciary not to ignore such weighty allegations by this irritant group”.

    The Makarfi camp expressed satisfaction that the ongoing campaign by Sheriff to infiltrate the ranks of party members in the South East and South-South was being spurned by key stakeholders.

    He stated that the PDP is not organising any campaign or rally in any part of the country at the moment and urge members to remain steadfast and continue to ignore any meeting called by Sheriff and his “doomsday naysayers”.

    According to him, there will be no elective national convention of the PDP as announced by Sheriff until the appeal pending before the Supreme Court is decided. Him advised state chapters to ignore any directive from Sheriff regarding the convention.

    He also enjoined stakeholders to ignore the request made by Sheriff for state chapters to submit their lists of delegates on or before the April 27 and his call for the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on May 3.

    The PDP, he said, will announce meetings of the various organs of the party at the appropriate time after due consultation with all stakeholders.

    “For the umpteenth time, we wish to re-iterate that Senator Sheriff and co. are in defiance of the Court of Appeal order of status quo ante May 21, 2016 with self-appointed officers like Cairo Ojugboh.

    “Only three officers are with him and therefore, such NWC is non-existent. As for the deputy officers who shamelessly assumed offices as NWC members on false claim of purported resignation of the substantive officers, their comic action against the party speaks volume”.

    The Makarfi camp called on all organs and key stakeholders in the party nationwide to continue supporting the Caretaker Committee in moving the party forward.

    According to him, the only interest of the Caretaker Committee is the survival of the PDP against the “suffocating influence” of the ruling APC.

     

  • Sheriff: Wike gave Jonathan N50m for PDP stakeholders meeting

    Sheriff: Wike gave Jonathan N50m for PDP stakeholders meeting

    The court backed National Chairman of People’s Democratic (PDP), Alhaji Ali Modu Sheriff has alleged that the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike gave former President Goodluck Jonathan N50 million to organise the recent stakeholders meeting in Abuja.

    But Dr. Jonathan has denied the allegation, saying that he took it upon himself to convene the meeting out of his genuine concern for peace to reign in the party.

    Also reacting to the allegation, the Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose said Sheriff has taking his desperation too far by accusing the former president of taking bribe.

    Fayose, in an SMS message by his media aide, Lere Olayinka, stated, “If Sheriff has taken his desperation to serve his paymasters in the APC to the level of accusing Jonathan of being bribed to organise peace meeting for the PDP, there is no reason for any sane mind to continue to respond to the continuous advertisement of his political insanity”.

    But Sheriff who spoke through his deputy, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh at a news conference at the party’s secretariat on Thursday, said Governors Wike and Fayose recruited the Jonathan into a fake peace effort pre-determined to scuttle ongoing peace initiative in the party.

    “The result is that President Jonathan was lured into committing a serious breach of protocol that led ‎to the failure of the exercise which was the intended outcome”, Sheriff said.

    According to him, Wike and the media mogul, Chief Raymond Dokpesi have already established their own political party, adding that their mission was to tie the PDP down with undue controversies.

    He further stated that the party was worried that the amount of money Wike was spending on the crisis could smear the image of the PDP

    “This money belongs to the people of Rivers State and it should not be misappropriated at the expense of the people to whom it rightfully belonged.

    “We therefore call on party leaders and Nigerians to refrain from accepting these monies from Governor Wike in line with the spirit of our founding fathers”, Sheriff added.

    The party chairman restated his determination to go ahead with the plans to organise a convention for the party, saying preparations for a free and fair convention were in top gear.

    Sheriff directed state chapter chairmen of the PDP to forward to the party secretariat the lists of all statutory delegates to the convention on or before April 27.

    He added that the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party would hold on May 3.

    Dr. Jonathan who spoke through his media aide, Ikechukwu Eze, dismissed Sheriff’s allegation that he collected N50 million from Wike.

    According to him, he intervened in the crisis because of his genuine commitment to bring about peace in the party that made him president.

    “I don’t think anybody will believe that Jonathan collected money from anybody to organise the meeting. It was out of his genuine concern to bring peace to the party.

    “He has been meeting with members of the party; he met with Sheriff severally, he also met with Makarfi severally. He met with the governors.

    “I don’t see any reason for anybody to say that Jonathan collected money from anybody to organise the stakeholders conference”, Eze said.

     

  • Wike advises INEC, Police to ‘shun’ electoral malpractices 

    Wike advises INEC, Police to ‘shun’ electoral malpractices 

    Ahead of the conclusion of rerun elections in Etche/Omuma Federal Constituency on Saturday, February 25, 2017, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has advised the Nigerian Police and other security agencies to shun electoral malpractices and violence.
    The governor also appealed to INEC  to desist from actions that would negatively affect the smooth conduct of the conclusion of the election in the Etche/Omuma Federal Constituency.
    Speaking on Wednesday at Okehi in Etche Local Government Area during the PDP Campaign for Etche/ Omuma Federal Constituency, Governor Wike said the forthcoming conclusive rerun elections presents INEC  and Police the opportunity to redeem themselves.
    Commenting on the  INEC Panel Report which indicted the police for electoral fraud, ballot box snatching and violence, the governor noted that in saner climes the Police High Command and all those mentioned would have resigned their respective positions.
    He said: “If we are in a civilised country with the right leadership, these persons mentioned in the report would have resigned from their positions.
    “They should bury their heads in shame. They are plotting how to kill us, but God is exposing them. It is only God that has the final say”.
    He said despite the machinations by APC leaders backed by the police, the voice of the people of Etche must be heard.
    The governor called on the people of Etche/Omuma Federal Constituency to defend their votes on Saturday.
    “The money that is keeping  Nigeria afloat is from Rivers State.  Therefore Nigeria must listen to Rivers State.  The voices of our people must be heard”, he said.
    He called on the people to defend their votes as they did on December 10, 2016.
    The governor assured the Etche people of more projects across the area. Earlier, the governor inspected ongoing construction of the Chokocho-Umuechem-Ozuzu road and Chokocho-Igbo Etche road which he flagged off last year.
    Also speaking, Former Acting National Chairman of PDP, Prince Uche Secondus and PDP Chieftain, Chief Sergeant Awuse urged the Etche people to support the PDP candidates for the rerun legislative elections on Saturday.
  • Rivers Rerun: Balance of N360million alleged bribed used to buy cars, others

    Rivers Rerun: Balance of N360million alleged bribed used to buy cars, others

    What happened to the balance of the N360m outstanding balance of the money allegedly used to influence the outcome of the Rivers State senatorial election rerun?

    The source said the money was used to buy choice vehicles’, houses and renovate some other ones.

    A 15-man panel set up by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris had last week come out with a report that indicted the Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike.

    The panel claimed that it recovered N111.3million from N360million alleged to have been given to 23 officials of INEC.

    Giving an update on the findings of the panel, a source close to the investigation who pleaded anonymity said: “The panel recovered discovered that some of them bought houses, cars and even renovated their existing houses with the money.

    “The panel also discovered that some gave out money to their relatives while some others invested money. Several cars were recovered and they would be tendered during prosecution in court.

    The Source further gave more insight on what the panel unraveled during investigation.

    He said: “In the audio tape that went viral, the governor was mentioning 8,8,7; and what he was referring to was the officials of INEC. He gave the leaders of the INEC officials from the three states, N20million each.

    “They brought outsiders for the election because they wanted neutral body to ensure transparency but they were bribed by the governor. They were 23 in number, eight came from Osun or Oyo, eight from Plateau and seven from Anambra state.

    “If you listened to the tape that went viral, you will discover that there was a part where the governor was shouting, kill them because they didn’t do their work well. The three states where officials came from have a leader. The leaders were the ones that were given N20million and others were given N15qwmillion. So, it was the leaders that he was threatening to kill.

    “As mentioned by the IG, the report will be sent to the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami (SAN) will now go through it and necessary action will be taken against those indicted. He is the Chief Law of the Federation.

    On whether the report was doctored and if it was just a political move to tarnish the image of the governor who belongs to the opposition party, the source said: “where did the police get the huge amount of money from? Those cars and houses recovered, where did the panel get it from? Is it police money or something?

    “23 people have been arrested and they all confessed. It was through them that the money was recovered; it was through them that the cars were also recovered. The 23 people arrested, the panel have their video confessions and they all wrote their official statement with their hand. They are all educated people and they used their own handwriting to write their confession and they also talked on video. They videos will be provided during prosecution.

    “All documents are available on how they were summoned to the government house, how they were given the money inside the government house and how vehicles were brought to them to move with the Ghana Must Go bags, and how they were moved to their hotels. Everything was confessed to on video.

    “This is not a political issue. This is a case where money that was supposed to be used to build schools, hospitals, roads and others social amenities have been squandered. So, whoever does wrong will be made to carry his or her cross irrespective of political affiliation.

    “So, that is the true position of everything. Everything is there and all the people that the money were recovered from are alive, they confessed both in written form and in videos.

    On why they were not presented to the press that time, the source simply said: “we could not present them that time because they are INEC staff and they are yet to be dismissed. Also, we want the Attorney General to take action first before they would be interviewed but all evidences are on ground. It is a very clear case”.

  • Wike, Police commissioner trade words over alleged rigging plot

    Wike, Police commissioner trade words over alleged rigging plot

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and Commissioner of Police Francis Odesanya have traded words over an alleged plot to rig the December 10 legislative rerun.

    Wike said he would release audio -visual footages of the Rivers State Police Commissioner plotting with politicians  on the  methods to be adopted for the planned rigging of the December 10 rerun elections.

    But Odesanya told The Nation that Wike was only playing politics with his claim.

    Wike spoke while‎ flagging off the rehabilitation of the General Hospital, Abonnema in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area on Monday.

    The governor noted that the audio-visual footages will be made public through different media platforms  to expose the extreme rigging desires of the Independent National Electoral Commission  ( INEC) with the backing of the police and other security agencies .

    He noted that   the 600 policemen  working with the Special Anti-Robbery Squad  (SARS ) in the state , the police commissioner  has already distributed them to prominent APC  leaders  on a local government  basis for the indiscriminate arrests of PDP  supporters  few days to the election .

    The governor  added that the 600 SARS  personnel distributed would also be used to unleash unprecedented  violence on the people on election day , “so that APC  leaders  would have  time to substitute  results sheets handed over  to  them by the INEC leadership”.

    He said: “We are now in possession of the DVD of how the Police Commissioner and some politicians were planning on how to rig the forthcoming Legislative re-run elections in Rivers State.  At the appropriate time, we shall release the materials for Nigerians to understand the depth of the Electoral fraud being perpetrated by  INEC and Police.

    “For the security of this all important audio-visual material, we have mass produced them and kept them at different locations.  Nigerians are entitled to know the truth about the unfortunate rigging machine.”

    The governor explained further that,  “Now that we have  caught them on tape, this will shake the world. Rivers State is not like other states where you can plot and execute easy rigging plans.

    “We are ahead of them by 50 steps. If they take one step, we take 50. On behalf of  our people , we shall  continue  to  monitor these persons who are trying to steal the  mandate  of our people”.

    Odesanya said he was waiting for Wike to release the footages.‎

    He said: “It is all politics, let him make his evidence public; last time he said I withdrew his security personnel which is not true, I am waiting when the video would be release, them, I will respond.”